August 2011

August was a busy month! I decided sort of last minute to take the boys for a visit to Texas before school started. My mom flew over to AL, stayed a couple of days, and then rode back to Texas with us. We had a great time visiting family and just hanging out in the 100+° heat (we did have 1 day less than 100). I took Daniel to Six Flags one day, we rode the train at Grapevine Mills mall, went swimming, went down to check out the farm house and visited family. Then I took the long drive back to AL with the boys alone. I was a little nervous that it would be terrible, but the boys were amazingly good. We had a great time checking out various McDonald’s play areas across the south! Best play area is Meridian, MS! Sorry there are so many pictures in this post!

Daniel with Locust Shells

There were lots of locust shells on my parents’ trees, so I was showing them to Daniel and explaining how the bug sheds his skin when he gets too big for it. Then we stuck them all over Daniel’s shirt. He loved them. After we took the picture and took them off, he wanted to save them for later, so he put them safely in the outside window sill. :)

Beautiful Little Man

Colin on the John Deere Tractor

This tractor was Allan’s toy when he was a little boy. The seat had been broken and Dan fixed it up for the boys.

Colin Pushing Daniel on the Tractor

Colin Kept Sitting Backward on the Tractor

Daniel, Colin & Aidan Playing in the Pool

Daniel & Colin Throwing Water for Skylar

Action Shot

Colin Coming Down the Slide

Daniel on the Playground

Train at Grapevine Mills Mall

Colin & Aunt Jennifer on the Train

Aunt Jennifer with Boys at the Pool

Daniel with his Prizes at Six Flags

Daniel on his Favorite Ride – “The Slow Train” as he calls it!

Colin on the Swingset at my Grandparents’ House in Weatherford

Boys Playing

Daniel, Me, Granny Carter, Cousin Aidan, PawPaw Carter, Colin, Grandpa Joe

Colin at McDonald’s Play Area

We hit several of these on the drive back to TX.

Best McDonald’s Play Area – Meridian, MS

There are at least two McDonald’s in Meridian, MS. We ate breakfast at one on the way from AL to TX where there was no play area. On the way back, I needed one more stop before the last section home (off the Interstate with less places to stop). I found another McDonald’s in Meridian and gave it a shot. They had the best play area! It was different from any I have seen before and the room was painted like a jungle. There was also a small kids section in the big play area. There were small steps up to a small slide, then bigger steps up from there to the rest of the structure. This was great because the little kids still feel like they are playing on the same playground as the big kids. Awesome and definitely recommend if you are passing through (or live near – MS girls!) Meridian.

Boys in the Shopping Cart

Daniel Bowling

Colin’s Big Boy Bed

Colin is our climber and has really been working on his climbing skills lately. I found him on the kitchen table one day and his toy shelf the next day. Then Allan found him trying to climb out of his crib. Enter the big boy bed! He does super good and usually goes to sleep in it. Sometimes we have to move him from the floor, but it is working out great!